Ghana is set to undergo a significant economic transformation, with the government aiming to reposition the nation as the leading manufacturing hub in West Africa, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah has announced.
Speaking on Friday at the opening of the third Kwahu Business Forum at the Kwahu Convention Centre on Mpraeso Hill, Mr. Debrah outlined a renewed policy direction under President John Dramani Mahama. He stressed that the government is committed to shifting the country from a production-based economy to one driven by manufacturing and value addition.
The Chief of Staff argued that achieving this ambition requires a decisive change in economic thinking, supported by deliberate policies that foster an enabling environment for businesses. He noted that stronger collaboration between the state and the private sector would be critical to unlocking Ghana’s industrial potential.
Mr. Debrah criticized the enduring limitations of what he termed the “Guggisberg economy,” urging stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps toward industrialisation. He called on policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs to focus on building industries that generate jobs, increase exports, and expand the country’s economic base.
“Let this Forum send a powerful message from the hills of Kwahu to every corner of Ghana: that we are ready to build, ready to produce, ready to lead, and ready to uplift others as we rise,” Mr. Debrah declared.
“This is our time not merely to discuss Ghana’s economic destiny, but to shape it. Our time to transform potential into factories, jobs, exports, innovation, and hope. Our time to evolve from an economy known primarily for commerce into one respected globally for production, value addition, and competitive excellence.”
The Chief of Staff described the Kwahu Business Forum as a strategic platform for driving the country’s industrial agenda, bringing together government officials, investors, and entrepreneurs to forge practical partnerships.
“This Forum is not a mere ceremony. It is a powerful instrument where policy meets practice, where capital meets creativity, where enterprise meets opportunity, and where public leadership and private sector ambition converge in a unified national dialogue,” he said.
The forum, now a key feature of Ghana’s Easter calendar, has attracted over 1,000 participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers from across the country and beyond. Organisers say the event aims to deepen investment partnerships, promote business opportunities, and provide a platform for enterprises of all sizes to showcase their products and services. Participants will also benefit from masterclasses led by seasoned business leaders, particularly from the Kwahu enclave, on building resilient and sustainable enterprises.
The renewed focus on manufacturing comes amid broader government efforts to diversify the economy, create jobs, and strengthen Ghana’s position within the West African sub-region.
